Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys salary in the U.S.
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys in the U.S. earn a median of $47,340 a year ($22.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 21,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,440 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $78,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| 25th percentile | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Median | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| 75th percentile | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,440 | $66.56 |
| Average (mean) | $78,720 | $37.85 |
Half of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,945 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,972.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,820.77 |
| Weekly | $910.38 |
| Hourly | $22.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,340 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $81,310 | 1,460 |
| Maryland | $74,480 | 290 |
| New Jersey | $70,800 | 190 |
| Indiana | $61,760 | 1,040 |
| Nevada | $60,460 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $60,200 | 280 |
| Florida | $56,360 | 990 |
| Rhode Island | $55,110 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,080 | 830 |
| Hawaii | $51,030 | 140 |
| Colorado | $50,660 | 310 |
| Texas | $49,050 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $48,290 | 970 |
| Arizona | $47,930 | 410 |
| North Carolina | $47,910 | 830 |
| Idaho | $46,940 | 50 |
| Illinois | $46,720 | 770 |
| Michigan | $46,640 | 650 |
| Oregon | $46,190 | 240 |
| Utah | $46,080 | 190 |
| New Hampshire | $46,000 | 70 |
| Missouri | $45,460 | 470 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 | 280 |
| Alaska | $44,790 | 80 |
| Washington | $44,420 | 620 |
| Virginia | $44,400 | 460 |
| Maine | $44,000 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $43,530 | 750 |
| Ohio | $42,440 | 910 |
| Georgia | $42,020 | 490 |
| South Dakota | $40,630 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $40,630 | 580 |
| New Mexico | $38,940 | 190 |
| Alabama | $38,530 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $38,500 | 180 |
| Iowa | $37,090 | 320 |
| Wyoming | $36,760 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $36,170 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $36,160 | 300 |
| Oklahoma | $36,110 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $35,400 | 130 |
| Vermont | $35,220 | 110 |
| Kansas | $35,130 | 440 |
| Montana | $35,000 | 130 |
| Mississippi | $34,040 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $33,020 | 190 |
| South Carolina | $30,960 | 150 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,970 | 150 |
Best-paying metro areas for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $124,810 | 1,090 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $88,030 | 260 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $83,680 | 120 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $79,310 | 180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,710 | 290 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $71,350 | 120 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $70,110 | 340 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $69,310 | 280 |
| Bloomington, IN | $67,450 | 360 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $66,140 | 320 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $65,890 | 120 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $64,990 | 40 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $63,710 | 180 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $63,090 | 170 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $61,770 | 80 |
Metro areas with the most broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,090 | $124,810 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 560 | $48,340 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 480 | $49,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 420 | $44,580 |
| Bloomington, IN | 360 | $67,450 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 340 | $70,110 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 320 | $66,140 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 320 | $47,610 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 290 | $75,710 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 280 | $69,310 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 270 | $48,740 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 270 | $47,820 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 260 | $50,280 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 260 | $88,030 |
| Cleveland, OH | 230 | $43,930 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Editor | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| Technical Writer | $90,390 | $43.46 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,200 | $29.91 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $73,620 | $35.39 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Producers and Directors | $90,360 | $43.44 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | $32.31 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,100 | $27.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys make in the U.S.?
The median salary for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys in the U.S. is $47,340 a year, or $22.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys in the U.S. earn at least $138,440 a year. The top 25% earn $75,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,190 a year, and a quarter of broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys earn $35,360 or less.
How many broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys work in the U.S.?
About 21,240 broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.